Expandable shim systems and methods

Abstract

This document discloses an adjustable shim system. The adjustable shim system a first member defining an opening for receiving a shaft The first member can have a first side defining an outside surface and a second side generally opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side. The adjustable shim system can further include a second member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side generally opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side. The adjustable shim system can further include a fastener engaged with the first member and the second member, the fastener being configured to selectively fix the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shim system configured to engage with at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment on a shaft extending from an arm of an earth working machine, the shim system comprising:
 a first member defining an opening for receiving the shaft;   the first member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;   a second member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;   a fastener engaged with the first member and the second member, the fastener being configured to selectively fix the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member;   wherein:
 the at least one wedge of the first member contacts the at least one wedge of the second member; 
 the outside surface of the first member is configured to selectively contact the arm of the earth working machine and the outside surface of the second member is configured to selectively contact the at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment; 
 the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a first direction increases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member and increases the distance between the arm of the earth working machine and the at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment, and the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a direction opposite first direction decreases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member and decreases the distance between the arm of the earth working machine and the at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment; 
 the first member further comprises a first cylindrical side wall; 
 the first cylindrical side wall forms a cavity; and 
 the at least one wedge of the first member is disposed within the cavity. 
   
     
     
         2 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first cylindrical side wall further comprises a plurality of holes; and   the fastener extends through a first of the plurality of holes.   
     
     
         3 . The shim system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of holes includes at least three holes and one of the at least three holes is radially offset from the other of the least three holes. 
     
     
         4 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second member further comprises a second cylindrical side wall;   the second cylindrical side wall comprises a second aperture; and   the fastener engages the second aperture.   
     
     
         5 . The shim system of  claim 4 , wherein the second aperture extends into the at least one wedge of the second member. 
     
     
         6 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein the first cylindrical side wall comprises a slot and the fastener extends through the slot. 
     
     
         7 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wedge of the first member is curved around the opening of the first member. 
     
     
         8 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein the first member comprises a plurality of wedges and the plurality of wedges are spaced about the second side of the first member. 
     
     
         9 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member each comprise a helical taper. 
     
     
         10 . The shim system of  claim 1 , wherein an outer edge of first member is beveled and configured to receive an O-ring. 
     
     
         11 . A shim system configured to engage with at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment on a shaft extending from an arm of an earth working machine, the shim system comprising:
 a first member defining an opening for receiving the shaft;   the first member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;   a second member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side; and   a fastener engaged with the first member and the second member, the fastener being configured to selectively fix the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member;   wherein:
 the at least one wedge of the first member contacts the at least one wedge of the second member; 
 the outside surface of the first member is configured to selectively contact the arm of the earth working machine and the outside surface of the second member is configured to selectively contact the at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment; 
 the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a first direction increases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member and increases the distance between the arm of the earth working machine and the at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment, and the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a direction opposite the first direction decreases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member and decreases the distance between the arm of the earth working machine and the at least one of a bucket, finger, or attachment; 
 the first member comprises a first circular plate; 
 the second member comprises a second circulate plate; 
 the at least one wedge of the first member comprises a first protruding wedge that extends beyond an outer periphery of the first circular plate; and 
 the at least one wedge of the second member comprises a second protruding wedge that extends beyond an outer periphery of the second circular plate. 
   
     
     
         12 . The shim system of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the first protruding wedge comprises a first aperture;   the second protruding wedge comprises a second aperture; and   the fastener extends through the first aperture and second aperture.   
     
     
         13 . The shim system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one wedge of the first member is curved around the opening of the first member. 
     
     
         14 . The shim system of  claim 11 , wherein the first member comprises a plurality of wedges and the plurality of wedges are spaced about the second side of the first member. 
     
     
         15 . The shim system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member each comprise a helical taper. 
     
     
         16 . The shim system of  claim 11 , wherein an outer edge of first member is beveled and configured to receive an O-ring. 
     
     
         17 . A shim system configured for receipt of a shaft, the shim system comprising:
 a first member defining an opening for receiving the shaft;   
       the first member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;
 a second member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side; and 
 a fastener engaged with the first member and the second member, the fastener being configured to selectively fix the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member; 
 wherein:
 the at least one wedge of the first member contacts the at least one wedge of the second member; and 
 the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a first direction increases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member, and at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a direction opposite first direction decreases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member; 
 the first member further comprises a first cylindrical side wall; 
 the first cylindrical side wall forms a cavity; and 
 the at least one wedge of the first member is disposed within the cavity. 
 
 
     
     
         18 . The shim system of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first cylindrical side wall further comprises a plurality of holes; and   the fastener extends through a first of the plurality of holes.   
     
     
         19 . The shim system of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of holes includes at least three holes and one of the at least three holes is radially offset from the other of the at least three holes. 
     
     
         20 . The shim system of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the second member further comprises a second cylindrical side wall;   the second cylindrical side wall comprising a second aperture; and   the fastener engages the second aperture.   
     
     
         21 . The shim system of  claim 20 , wherein the second aperture extends into the at least one wedge of the second member. 
     
     
         22 . The shim system of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the first member comprises a plurality of wedges and the plurality of wedges of the first member are spaced about the second side of the first member; and   the second member comprises a plurality of wedges and the plurality of wedges of the second member are spaced about the second side of the second member.   
     
     
         23 . The shim system of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of wedges of each of the first member and second member are curved around the center aperture. 
     
     
         24 . The shim system of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of wedges of the first member oppose the plurality of wedges of the second member. 
     
     
         25 . The shim system of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of wedges of the first and second members comprise a helical taper. 
     
     
         26 . The shim system of  claim 17 , wherein the first cylindrical side wall comprises a slot and the fastener extends through the slot. 
     
     
         27 . The shim system of  claim 17 , wherein each of the first member and second member is circular. 
     
     
         28 . A shim system configured for receipt of a shaft, the shim system comprising:
 a first member defining an opening for receiving the shaft;   the first member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side;   a second member having a first side defining an outside surface and a second side opposite the first side and at least one wedge extending from the second side; and   a fastener engaged with the first member and the second member, the fastener being configured to selectively fix the outside surface of the first member relative to the outside surface of the second member;   wherein:
 the at least one wedge of the first member contacts the at least one wedge of the second member; 
 the at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a first direction increases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member, and at least one wedge of the first member and the at least one wedge of the second member are configured such that relative rotation between the first member and the second member about the shaft in a direction opposite the first direction decreases the distance between the outside surface of the first member and the outside surface of the second member; 
 the first member comprises a first circular plate; 
 the second member comprises a second circular plate; 
 the at least one wedge of the first member comprises a first protruding wedge that extends beyond an outer periphery of the first circular plate; and 
 the at least one wedge of the second member comprises a second protruding wedge that extends beyond an outer periphery of the second circular plate. 
   
     
     
         29 . The shim system of  claim 28 , wherein:
 the first protruding wedge comprises a plurality of apertures;   the second protruding wedge comprises a plurality of apertures; and   the fastener extends through an first aperture of the plurality apertures of the first protruding wedge and a second aperture of the plurality of apertures of the second protruding wedge.   
     
     
         30 . The shim system of  claim 28 , wherein:
 the first member comprises a plurality of wedges and the plurality of wedges of the first member are spaced about the second side of the first member; and   the second member comprises a plurality of wedges and the plurality of wedges of the second member are spaced about the second side of the second member.